The Abyss: SE

[chris3177]

If you own a DVD player, you must own this movie. Not only does it have the expanded directors cut, it also has the original theatrical version. The DC is far more superior. That's just disk one! Disk two is loaded with tons of extras including a cool documentary and tons of info on the ships used in the movie. This DVD just rocks. Too bad the picture isn't anamorphic. 9/10!

[Jon Lyrik]

Hey duders, let's revive one of, if not the, oldest threads in the DVD forum!

Yeah, I own the Abyss DVD. Cool 2-disc set, though the image quality could be much better.

[Corporal_Hicks]

I don't own it.

And now that it is discontinued I am gonna have to shop ebay.

[iNF]

I wholeheartedly agree that "The Abyss" is an excellent film and the DVD documentary is truly excellent. I will voice a little caution to those UK forum members considering buying this dvd...

The UK DVD transfer looks suspiciously like an old transfer from the original special edition release on VHS. The reason for this is quite amusing. The BBFC (British Censors) dubiously insisted that they would not allow the scene in which the rat breathes fluid to appear in the UK cut. Apparently a Royal Vet said it was painful for the rat and would instantly spawn a new generation of 15 year old rat murderers. The DVD producers probably felt that it wasn't worth doing another re-cut and gave us the UK-VHS release on DVD transfer.

I find this very annoying and find it amazing that according to the UK BBFC website, they deny cuts on the UK Special Edition DVD or VHS releases.

If you're from the UK try and get the Region 1 version, this film deserves better treatment. But, if you have to get the UK version, the extras are almost worth the cost themselves.

Now... dont get me started on the UK version of True Lies. :)

[pat00139]

The thing that would make that set perfect would be the anamorphic transfer. I don't really have a top-notch tv, but I could still see that the picture could have easily been better.

The extended cut is awesome and fills out so many questions and confusions.

I agree that the doc is great. It's really amazing. The rest of the extras are good, but be ready to read A LOT. There's just a ton of info in there (well, two tons actually).

I got it a little while after I heard it was discontinued and I'm so glad I got it.

[rushmore beauty]

I dug this flick and if I see it at the store, I'll buy it now knowing that it was discontinued.

[Jon Lyrik]

Originally posted by Corporal_Hicks
I don't own it.

And now that it is discontinued I am gonna have to shop ebay.

You don't need to risk it on eBay, there are still several copies on the shelves at stores.

[Neesh]

Corporal Hicks --- dont spend too much on it. The Abyss, (as well as alot of other James Cameron flicks -- True Lies, T2...) are going to be reissued soon. Anamoprhic ? not sure ... perhaps....

iNF: whats wrong with the UK edition of True Lies?

[iNF]

Neesh, you have no idea how much is wrong with the home UK release of True Lies.

This is mainly due to the cuts made to the film, there are a LOT. This was done to ensure a 15 certificate in the UK for home viewing and it is a travesty, you can thank the SOB's at the Video Standards Council in the UK and the BBFC for this one.

Here is a choice list of my most hated cuts. The following scene suffers most in my opinion.

--- In the scene where Harry is handcuffed to a chair and about to be tortured... This is a major turning point in the film, Harry seems helpless and is about to be tortured to death along with his wife and at this point we still do not know how tough Harry really is. ---

UK / US Theatrical Version:

Harry describes his escape to the torturer in detail, we think he's just stoned on serum, he has picked his cuffs and throws a pallete knife into the door guards eye (which is held for a camera beat for impact), the audience jumps out of their seats. At least I did when i saw it, then he takes a crowbar, waits at the door for an approching guard, sinks the crowbar into his chest, twists it (KERRUNCH), audience jumps again, as does his wife Helen.

This is one ofthe major scenes in the film, as a I said, certainly a turning point and as such is pumped up for amazing effect.


UK Home Version DVD/VHS (15 Rated)

Harry describes his escape to the torturer in detail, we think he's just stoned on serum, he has picked his cuffs and throws a pallete knife into the door guards eye. (there is an cut directly away, no beat is held), the audience yawns. At least I did when i saw it, then he takes a crowbar, waits at the door for an approching guard, sinks the crowbar into his chest (no sound, you wonder if he was just knocked out), escapes with Helen.

This is one of the major scenes in the film, the impact of the scene is totally diminished, the audience should feel the same shock that Helen exhibits but doesn't, the scene becomes far less important or effective. All for the benefit of a 15 home rating.

These cuts are consistent throughout the movie, neck snappings have the sound suppressed. There is even a comedy scene with Bill Paxon (The Used Car Salesman) is mouthing off to Harry, while they're out driving in his vet. In the US version Harry strikes him with a blow to the head and he is left hanging over with blood dripping out of his mouth, the moment holds a beat. Cut back to Harry, it was just a fantasy. In the UK Home version, the beat is not held and the joke is no longer nearly as funny.

The most bitter pill to swallow is the fact that you cannot even buy an uncut version of the film in the UK. The only version ever released to this date on DVD or VHS is the 15 (Heavily Cut) version. You cannot even buy an uncut 18 rated version in the UK. It doesn't exist. I HOPE that the new versions of Cameron's films get better treatment, I find the whole situation disrespectful to filmmakers in general.

The reason I noticed all of this is that I like Cameron's work and apon seeing True Lies at the cinema a couple of times I still regard it to be one of the most best "action" movies to this day.

As for the cuts, I have since obtained a US version of True Lies, I am now happy to have a decent version. It has taken me years!

Sorry for the long reply... I just hate the British Censors sooooo much.


Peace Out

iNF

[Ren Hoek]

off-topic... again:
Originally posted by iNF
Sorry for the long reply... I just hate the British Censors sooooo much.
Seems like almost every Cameron film gets that 'special treatment' of the BBFC... TRUE LIES and THE ABYSS are censored while a far more more violent film like THE TERMINATOR (also rated 15) gets away without any cuts. Weird :confused:

But hey, the BBFC even butchered 'masterpieces' like Cats and Dogs and Scooby Doo ...yes, the UK laws can be a movielover's nightmare ;)

[Neesh]

Wow iNF, that really sucks!! Maybe we should all move to Canada... they'll release anything there.

[shifty]

The Abyss S.E is an excellent dvd,..but i can't unlock the easter eggs,..i've read through it time and again,..printed out how to do it step by step to no avail,...anyone else have this problem,..all the other extras work fine,......... its region 2:(

[Jon Lyrik]

Originally posted by shifty
The Abyss S.E is an excellent dvd,..but i can't unlock the easter eggs,..i've read through it time and again,..printed out how to do it step by step to no avail,...anyone else have this problem,..all the other extras work fine,......... its region 2:(

On my US version it works just fine.

[pat00139]

"Maybe we should all move to Canada... they'll release anything there."

My suggestion: don't move to Ontario! They're may not be as strict as the BBFC, but they're still a pain in the ass.

Case in point: they BANNED Fat Girl. What democracy BANS a movie? It's not banned anymore, but it took about 2 years for them to overturn their decision. At least you guys got True Lies in its full version in theatres. We didn't get Fat Girl, period. (Unless you count the 2 showings and the T.O. Film Festival.)

They almost banned Baise-Moi, but they had to cut a few seconds to avoid that ban. I think there was a fuss over Romance as well, but I can't remember.

The worst part is that Irreversible passed scott free on the first vote. (The members of the Ontario Review Film Board vote to see if the movie 'uphold the values and standards of society' once, and if doesn't pass and people are angry, they vote again. If that vote doesn't go by, the movie doesn't get released.)

No other province or territory had these problems.
Don't ge me started, I could go on for a long time...

Just so this post is kind of on topic, I didn't know The Abyss:SE had any easter eggs. What are they supposed to be?